Container with tamper evident lid

ABSTRACT

A container having a tamper evident lid is provided. The container includes a flanged upper peripheral region that includes an inwardly directed protuberance. The lid contains a correspondingly shaped flanged peripheral region that permits is to fit snugly within the container&#39;s flanged region and with the protuberance blocking user access to the edge of the lid, thereby preventing it from being pried off of container. A tab is provided on the container that is susceptible to manual separation from the container. By manually separating the tab from the container, a space is created in which the user may access the edge of the lid and pry it away from and upwardly out of covering relation to the container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application relates and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/945,588, filed Dec. 9, 2019, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

GOVERNMENT FUNDING

N/A

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed generally to sealed containers and more particularly to containers having tamper evident lids.

BACKGROUND

It is often beneficial for containers for food, medicines, and other items to have a lid that once removed provide evidence of removal. For example, for a food product that may become spoiled after the container it is stored within is open and it is exposed to the atmosphere, including methane or other gases that could affect the quality of the food, it is useful to know when the container has been opened. Likewise for pharmaceuticals that may have timeframes associated with their useful or safe lives once exposed.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a container having a lid that provides evidence of tampering once opened.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a container with a tamper evident lid.

According to an aspect is a container and lid assembly, comprising a container having an open volume defined by a floor and upstanding walls that provide contained volume of space, wherein the upstanding walls comprise an upper flange that extends around the periphery of the container. The upper flange comprises (i) a first upwardly facing U-shaped region defined by an upstanding outer wall having an upper edge, an upstanding interior wall having an upper edge that extends in a first plane, and a floor that extends between the outer wall and interior wall, wherein the outer wall includes a protuberance extending inwardly therefrom adjacent the upper edge; (ii) a downwardly facing U-shaped region inwardly adjacent to the upwardly facing U-shaped region and defined by the first upstanding interior wall, a second upstanding interior wall positioned interiorly of the first upstanding interior wall and having an upper edge that extends in a second plane that is vertically spaced above the first plane, and a ceiling that extends between the upper edge of the first upstanding interior wall and an intermediate position along the second interior upstanding wall; and (iii) a tab that is secured to the upper edge of upstanding outer wall and that is manually separable from therefrom, wherein when separated from the upstanding outer wall, an access space is created in the upstanding outer wall. The lid comprises a peripheral flange region that cooperatively fits with the upper flange of the container to provide a tamper evident seal, the peripheral flange region comprises (i) a lid having a first lid upwardly facing U-shaped region that is shaped and sized to with within and contour the first U-shaped region of the container, the first lid upwardly facing U-shaped region defined by a lid outermost upstanding wall that terminates at an upper edge, a first lid interior upstanding wall that terminates in an upper edge, and a lid floor that extends between the lid outermost upstanding wall and the first lid interior upstanding wall, wherein when the lid is attached to the container the upper edge of the lid outermost upstanding wall is positioned in movingly blocked relation beneath the protuberance; (ii) a lid downwardly facing U-shaped region defined by a second upstanding interior wall positioned laterally interiorly of the first lid upstanding interior wall and having an upper edge, a third lid upstanding interior wall having an upper edge, and a lid ceiling that extends between the upper edges of the second upstanding interior wall and third lid upstanding interior wall; (iii) a lid transition region that extends between the first lid upstanding interior wall and the second upstanding interior wall, wherein when the lid is sealingly engaged in covering relation to the container, the upper edge of the first upstanding interior wall is positioned within the lid downwardly facing U-shaped region with an air gap formed between the upper edge of the first upstanding interior wall and the ceiling of the lid downwardly facing U-shaped region. When the lid is sealingly engaged with the container, access to the upper edge of the outermost upstanding wall is prevented until the tab is manually separated from the upper edge of upstanding outer wall.

According to an embodiment, the lid and container can be of any geometric shape and size.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the embodiments described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a container with a tamper evident lid taken along section line 4-4 of FIG. 3, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exploded side elevation view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a container with a tamper evident lid after the tab has been separated from the container, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of a container with a tamper evident lid prior to the tab being separated from the container, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sealed flange areas of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a container with a tamper evident lid in the open position, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of a container with a tamper evident lid in the open position, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is side elevational view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a bottom plan elevation view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional view of a container with a tamper evident lid taken along section line 19-19 of FIG. 18, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 19B is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 19A of the sealed flange areas of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional view of a container with a tamper evident lid taken along section line 20-20 of FIG. 18, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 20B is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 20A of the sealed flange areas of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of a container with a tamper evident lid in the open position, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of a container with a tamper evident lid in the open position, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 24 is side elevational view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a top plan view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a bottom plan elevation view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 28A is a cross-sectional view of a container with a tamper evident lid taken along section line 28A-28A of FIG. 27, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 28B is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 28A of the sealed flange areas of a container with a tamper evident lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure describes a container and lid assembly that provides evidence of the lid being tampered with/opened a first time.

Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, is a container and lid assembly 10, comprising a separable container 12 and lid 14. Container 10 can be of virtually any shape and volume, while lid 12 is to shaped and sized to contour to and sealingly mate with/engage a corresponding lip of container 10.

Container 12 has a volume of space defined by an open top 16 and a floor 18 and upstanding walls 20, wherein the upstanding walls 20 comprise an upper flange, designated generally by reference numeral 22 that extends around the periphery of the container 12. Upper flange 22 generally comprises a first upwardly facing U-shaped region 24 defined by an upstanding outer wall 26 having an upper edge 28, an upstanding interior wall 30 having an upper edge 32 that extends in a first plane, P1, and a floor 34 that extends between the outer wall 26 and interior wall 30, wherein the outer wall 26 includes a protuberance 36 extending inwardly therefrom adjacent the upper edge 28. Upper flange 22 further comprises a downwardly facing U-shaped region 38 inwardly adjacent to the upwardly facing U-shaped region 24 and defined by the first upstanding interior wall 30, a second upstanding interior wall 40 positioned interiorly of the first upstanding interior wall 30 and having an upper edge 42 that extends in a second plane, P2, that is vertically spaced above the first plane P1, and a ceiling 44 that extends between the upper edge 32 of the first upstanding interior wall 30 and an intermediate position along the second interior upstanding wall 40. Upper flange 22 further comprises a tab 46 that is secured to the upper edge 28 of upstanding outer wall 26 and that is manually separable from therefrom, wherein when separated from the upstanding outer wall 26, an access space 48 is created in the upstanding outer wall to permit a user to grasp the lid 14 and pull it away from container 12. Container 12 further comprises a lip 49 that extends inwardly from second upstanding interior wall 40 which transitions into the upstanding walls 20.

The lid 14 generally comprises a peripheral flange region 50 that cooperatively fits with the upper flange 22 of the container 12 to provide a tamper evident seal. The peripheral flange region 50 comprises a lid having a first lid upwardly facing U-shaped region 52 that is shaped and sized to fit within and contour the first U-shaped region 22 of the container 12. The first lid upwardly facing U-shaped region 52 is defined by a lid outermost upstanding wall 54 that terminates at an upper edge 56, a first lid interior upstanding wall 58 that terminates in an upper edge 60, and a lid floor 62 that extends between the lid outermost upstanding wall 54 and the first lid interior upstanding wall 58, wherein when the lid 14 is attached to the container 12 the upper edge 56 of the lid outermost upstanding wall 54 is positioned in movingly blocked relation beneath the protuberance 36. The flange region 50 further comprises a lid downwardly facing U-shaped region 64 defined by a second upstanding interior wall 66 positioned laterally interiorly of the first lid upstanding interior wall 58 and having an upper edge 68, a third lid upstanding interior wall 70 having an upper edge 72, and a lid ceiling 74 that extends between the upper edges 68, 72 of the second upstanding interior wall 66 and third lid upstanding interior wall 70. The flange region 50 further comprises a lid transition region 76 that extends between the first lid upstanding interior wall 58 and the second upstanding interior wall 66. When the lid 14 is sealingly engaged in covering relation to the container 12, the upper edge of the first upstanding interior wall is positioned within the lid downwardly facing U-shaped region with an air gap 78 formed between the upper edge 68 of the second upstanding interior wall 66 and the ceiling 74 of the lid downwardly facing U-shaped region 64. When the lid 14 is sealingly engaged with the container 12, access to the upper edge 56 of the outermost upstanding wall 54 is prevented until the tab 46 is manually separated from the upper edge 56 of upstanding outer wall 54 (e.g., by tearing/breaking/snapping). A user can then access upper edge 56 via the air gap 48 and pull lid 14 from under protuberance 36 and separate it from cover 16. From third lid upstanding interior wall 70, lid 14 transitions along a floor 80 that sits upon lip 49 before transitioning into the body of lid 14.

In use, lid 14 mates with container 12 with protuberance 36 preventing/blocking lid 14 from being lifted out of covering relation to container 12. To initially gain access to the contents of container 12, a user would need to break tab 46 off of/away from container 12, thereby providing a user with access to the upper edge 56 and ability to pull upwardly and away from protuberance 36 and pry lid 14 off of container 12.

With reference to FIGS. 12-21, a container and lid assembly 100 is shown comprising a container 102 and lid 104 hingedly connected to one another for selective movement between covered and uncovered positions. Container and lid assembly 100 is shown as rectangular, but other shapes are possible as well. For example, with reference to FIGS. 21-28, a circular container and lid assembly 200 is shown comprising a container 202 and lid 204 hingedly connected to one another for selective movement between covered and uncovered positions. Other than their shape, container and lid assembly 100 and 200 are identical.

Container 102/202 and lid 104/204 are connected together by a living hinge 106/206, respectively, that include flanges 108/208 extending outwardly from an edge of container 102/202, and a flange 110/201 extending outwardly from an edge of lid 104/204. Hinge 106/206 is formed at the interface of flanges 108/208 and 110/210 to permit pivotal movement of the lid 104/204 relative to the container 102/202 about the hinge axis X-X.

With reference to FIGS. 19B and 28B, the sealing structure of containers 100/200 can be seen. Container 102/202 each include an upwardly turned U-shaped portion 112/212 at its outermost edge and which transitions to a downwardly turned U-shaped portion 114/214 radially inward from the upwardly turned U-shaped portion. A lip/flange 116/216 is formed on the inwardly directed surface of the outer leg of upwardly turned U-shaped portion 114/214 adjacent the upper edge. Lid 104/204 include a backwards J-shaped portion 118/218 at its outermost edge in contoured relation to U-shaped portion 112/212 and with the shorter, terminal edge of the outer leg of the J being positioned for snapping engagement beneath lip/flange 116/216 to secure the connection of the lid to the container. Moving radially inward from backwards J-shaped portion 118/218, lid 104/204 then transitions into a downwardly turned U-shaped portion 120/220 which contours with downwardly turned U-shaped portion 114/214 and with its inner leg having a stepped out portion 122/222 that creates an air gap 124/224 between itself and the inner leg of downwardly turned U-shaped portion 114/214 when the lid 104/204 is covering container 102/202. The air gap 124/224 creates a vacuum seal to more securely interconnect the lid to the container. In addition, at the top of the downwardly turned U-shaped portions 114/214 and 122/222, there is a slight rise before it turns downwardly along the inner leg that further serves to secure the interconnection.

As with assembly 10, a tab 126/226 is secured to the upper edge of the container's outermost edge. Tab 126/226 is manually separable from container 102/202 and when separated, an access space 128/228 is created in the upstanding outer wall to permit a user to grasp the lid 104/204 and pull it away from container 102/202 and provide evidence that the unit has been opened/tampered with as there is otherwise no easy way of removing the lid from the container.

While various embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container and lid assembly, comprising: a. a container having an open volume defined by a floor and upstanding walls that provide contained volume of space, wherein the upstanding walls comprise an upper flange that extends around the periphery of the container, the upper flange comprising: i. a first upwardly facing U-shaped region defined by an upstanding outer wall having an upper edge, an upstanding interior wall having an upper edge that extends in a first plane, and a floor that extends between the outer wall and interior wall, wherein the outer wall includes a protuberance extending inwardly therefrom adjacent the upper edge; ii. a downwardly facing U-shaped region inwardly adjacent to the upwardly facing U-shaped region and defined by the first upstanding interior wall, a second upstanding interior wall positioned interiorly of the first upstanding interior wall and having an upper edge that extends in a second plane that is vertically spaced above the first plane, and a ceiling that extends between the upper edge of the first upstanding interior wall and an intermediate position along the second interior upstanding wall; and iii. a tab that is secured to the upper edge of upstanding outer wall and that is manually separable from therefrom, wherein when separated from the upstanding outer wall, an access space is created in the upstanding outer wall; and b. a lid comprising a peripheral flange region that cooperatively fits with the upper flange of the container to provide a tamper evident seal, the peripheral flange region comprising: i. a lid having a first lid upwardly facing U-shaped region that is shaped and sized to with within and contour the first U-shaped region of the container, the first lid upwardly facing U-shaped region defined by a lid outermost upstanding wall that terminates at an upper edge, a first lid interior upstanding wall that terminates in an upper edge, and a lid floor that extends between the lid outermost upstanding wall and the first lid interior upstanding wall, wherein when the lid is attached to the container the upper edge of the lid outermost upstanding wall is positioned in movingly blocked relation beneath the protuberance; ii. a lid downwardly facing U-shaped region defined by a second upstanding interior wall positioned laterally interiorly of the first lid upstanding interior wall and having an upper edge, a third lid upstanding interior wall having an upper edge, and a lid ceiling that extends between the upper edges of the second upstanding interior wall and third lid upstanding interior wall; iii. a lid transition region that extends between the first lid upstanding interior wall and the second upstanding interior wall; iv. wherein, when the lid is sealingly engaged in covering relation to the container, the upper edge of the first upstanding interior wall is positioned within the lid downwardly facing U-shaped region with an air gap formed between the upper edge of the second upstanding interior wall and the ceiling of the lid downwardly facing U-shaped region; c. wherein when the lid is sealingly engaged with the container, access to the upper edge of the outermost upstanding wall is prevented until the tab is manually separated from the upper edge of upstanding outer wall.
 2. A container and lid assembly, comprising: a. a container having an open volume defined by a floor and upstanding walls that provide a contained volume of space, wherein the upstanding walls comprise an upper flange that extends around the periphery of the container, the upper flange comprising: i. an upwardly turned U-shaped portion at the radial outermost position of the container and having an outermost leg and an inner leg; ii. a container downwardly turned U-shaped portion transitioning radially inward from the inner leg of the upwardly turned U-shaped portion and having an innermost leg; iii. a flange formed on the inwardly directed surface of the outermost leg of the upwardly turned U-shaped portion; and iv. a tab extending radially outwardly from the upwardly turned U-shaped portion and that is manually separable from the upwardly turned U-shaped portion; b. a lid comprising: i. a backwards J-shaped portion at the radial outermost edge that is positionable in contoured relation to the container's upwardly turned U-shaped portion and having an outer leg that is positionable in snapping engagement beneath the container's flange to secure the connection of the lid to the container; ii. a lid downwardly turned U-shaped portion that is positionable in contoured relation to container downwardly turned U-shaped portion and includes an inner leg that has a stepped out portion that creates an air gap between itself and the innermost leg of the container downwardly turned U-shaped portion; c. wherein, upon separation of the tab a user gains access to the edge of the lid and is able to move the lid from covered to uncovered relation to the container.
 3. The container and lid assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a living hinge interconnecting the lid to the container.
 4. The container and lid assembly according to claim 2, wherein the lid and container are round in shape.
 5. The container and lid assembly according to claim 2, wherein the lid and container are rectangular in shape. 